Blanket having two independently controlled cooling zones

ABSTRACT

A blanket having two distinct cooling zones whereby each occupant has control over the zone directly in physical contact. Via a remote controller, each occupant has control over a fan pumping ambient air into their respective zone and thru small reinforced openings located on the bottom side of the zone thus cooling the occupant.

This application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. section 119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/367,545 entitled “Cooling Blanket” filed Jul. 26, 2010, which is in its entirety herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many individuals enjoy sharing a bed with their spouse but find it hard to agree on air temperature for the most optimal night's sleep. This is due to the fact that most husbands and wives need different amounts of cool air to lower their body temperatures. Additionally, individuals without access to air-conditioning during hot summer nights may find it difficult to fall asleep due to their raised body temperature. These individuals may have access to ceiling or window fans, but oftentimes the simple movement of air is not enough to lower body temperatures to a comfortable state. Also, many individuals suffer from night sweats and hot flashes in which additional cool air is needed to alleviate the sharp spike in body temperature. Therefor, a need exists for a blanket in which each user has readily available control over the cooling level of the blanket directly in physical contact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the blanket in accord with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the blanket with tiny openings allowing cool air to circulate.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the top of the blanket looking thru the top sheet to the bottom perforated sheet and the fan connection to the blanket.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective, partially fragmentary view of blanket connection to the fan.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, cooling blanket 10 is shown covering occupants 11 and 12. Occupant 11 operates remote controller 13 to vary the cooling output of fan 15. Similarly, occupant 12 operates remote controller 14 to vary the output of fan 16. Fan 16 is connected to blanket 10 via fluid supply tube 17 and fan 15 is connected to blanket 10 via fluid supply tube 18. Fan 16 is connected to power outlet 21 via cord 20 and fan 15 is connected to power outlet 22 via cord 19.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, blanket 10 consists of two sheets of fabric sewn together. The first top sheet 25 is of any air impermeable fabric and covers beyond the mattress on three sides. The second bottom sheet 26 is of any air impermeable thin fabric having a plurality of reinforced openings 27 thru which air flows to circulate and cool the user's body and covers the top of the mattress. Fabric sheets 25 and 26 are connected together in a fluid tight connection around the perimeter 30, 31, 32, 33 of bottom sheet 26 by any means, such as, thermal bonding, gluing, sewing, etc. Sheets 25 and 26 are also connected together down the center 34 in the same manner thus creating two separate fluid tight zones 28 and 29. The bottom edge 45 of top sheet 25 that extends beyond the top of the mattress and beyond the connected perimeter portion 31, is placed under the mattress to position and anchor the cooling zones on top of the mattress. Also, the portions of bottom side edges 45′ of top sheet 25 that are adjacent to bottom edge 45, and which extend beyond the connected perimeter portions 30 and 32, can be tucked under the mattress to assist in positioning and anchoring the cooling zones 28, 29 on top of the mattress as best seen in FIG. 1. Blanket 10 will be sized to fit the standard mattress sizes: twin, double, queen, etc. Top sheet 25 is generally of a heavier fabric than bottom sheet 26.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, each fan 15, 16 is removably connected via a fluid supply tube 17, 18 to a respective tubular blanket connector 40 which is permanently sealed via perimeter portion 31 to the blanket 10. Each tubular blanket connector 40 is centrally located at the distal end of each zone 28, 29 in the zone seam 31. To increase the fluid circulation within the zones, the major central opening 41 of tubular blanket connector 40 has minor lateral hollow tube extensions 42 extending therefrom into each respective blanket zone. Protuberance 43 on the outer surface of blanket connector 40 mates with indentation 44 on the inner surface of fluid supply tube 17, 18 thus forming a fluid tight snap connection best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, remote controller 14, having selector 14 a for low, medium and high output settings for fan 16, varies the fluid flow in zone 28 thru reinforced openings 27. Similarly, remote controller 13, having selector 13 a for low, medium and high output settings for fan 15, varies the fluid flow in zone 29 thru reinforced openings 27. Both remotes 14, 13 are electrically connected to their respective fans 16, 15 via wires 35. The remotes can also be wireless. Further, if the occupants don't require cooling, they can operate the on/off switch 14 b, 13 b to disable the respective fans. Therefore, through operating the respective remote controller, each occupant varies the flow of air from each respective fan to each respective zone and thru respective reinforced openings on the bottom of respective zone thus cooling respective occupant.

While the preferred embodiment has been described above, many other embodiments and variations are possible within the scope of the present disclosure and in the appended claims that follow. Accordingly, the details of the preferred embodiment are not to be construed as limiting. It is to be understood that the terms used herein are merely descriptive rather than limiting and that various changes, numerous equivalents may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention. 

1. A cooling blanket comprising: an upper portion for providing warmth; a lower portion for providing cooling; the lower portion being operationally mounted on the underside of the upper portion; the upper portion and the lower portion defining a space between them for the flow of cooling fluid; the blanket having a first zone and a second zone, the first zone being isolated from the second zone so that the fluid within the space of the first zone is not in communication with fluid in the second zone; each zone connected to an independent source of cooling fluid; each independent source of cooling fluid having a respective remote controller for regulating the flow of the cooling fluid.
 2. A cooling blanket as in claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the blanket having perforations for the passage of cooling fluid from within the zone to the exterior of the blanket.
 3. A cooling blanket comprising: an upper portion for providing warmth; a lower portion for providing cooling; the lower portion being operationally mounted on the underside of the upper portion; the upper portion and the lower portion defining a space between them for the flow of cooling fluid; the blanket having a first zone and a second zone, the first zone being isolated from the second zone so that the fluid within the space of the first zone is not in communication with fluid in the second zone; each zone connected to an independent source of cooling fluid; each independent source of cooling fluid having a remote controller for regulating the cooling fluid; the lower portion covering the top of mattress and the upper portion extends beyond the top of mattress.
 4. A cooling blanket as in claim 3, wherein the remote controller is within convenient reach of the user.
 5. A cooling blanket as in claim 3, wherein the remote controller is a wireless remote.
 6. A cooling blanket as in claim 3, wherein the upper portion which extends beyond the top of the mattress is placed beneath the mattress positioning and anchoring the lower portion on top of mattress.
 7. A cooling blanket comprising: an upper portion for providing warmth; a lower portion for providing cooling; the lower portion being operationally mounted on the underside of the upper portion; the upper portion and the lower portion defining a space between them for the flow of cooling fluid; the blanket having a first zone and a second zone, the first zone being isolated from the second zone so that the fluid within the space of the first zone is not in communication with fluid in the second zone; each zone connected to an independent source of cooling fluid; each independent source of cooling fluid having a remote controller for regulating the cooling fluid;each independent source of cooling fluid having a flexible tube removably interfacing with a flexible fluid distributor centrally connected to the distal end of each zone; each independent source of cooling fluid having its own power source.
 8. A cooling blanket as in claim 7, wherein the flexible fluid distributor having a major central opening and minor lateral openings for efficient dispersal of cooling fluid within the zone; the flexible tube having a snap connection means thereon for interfacing with the flexible fluid distributor on the blanket forming a fluid tight connection.
 9. A cooling blanket as in claim 7, wherein the cooling fluid is air. 